Dear Bonaire Talkers,
I have really enjoyed your newsgroup and found it immensely helpful. I had been considering going to Bonaire but once I started reading (and I have been continuously for days!, I knew that I had to go.

So, I am very excited because I was finally able to get frequent flyer seats and my husband and I will be going down Dec 11 for 6 nights. I had a few questions I was hoping you could help with.

1)Would it be best to reserve a car before we leave the US? Is it possible to just rent a car by the day for the days we would want one? Based on where we might stay (see next question), would we need a car every day?

2) We were thinking about staying at either Divi Flamingo or Black Durgon. We are avid snorkelers and want to be able to do shore snorkeling. We would also prefer to be able to walk to dinner, and to have the ability to rent sea kayaks and a sailboat easily. My reading of the newsgroup is that the Divi would be better for us -- is that true?

3) What is people's experience booking with either of those places -- is it best to call or email or something else?

Thanks so much for your help.
Michele

I can't speak for the Black Durgeon, but Divi has both hotel style rooms and studio apt's with kitchenette's, which help if you are not big breakfast or lunch eaters. Also most places serve so much food you can doggy bag a good portion of it for lunch the next day. The snorkeling in front of both is good, but Divi has a small beach and a pier just for sunbathing, plus Divi is the base for the Woodwind. Divi also has a car rental office on site and you can reserve a car/truck/van for just the day(s) you want one. Divi is also closer to town and is close to Richard's, Blue Moon, Le Wok, and t'Ankertje's if it is still open plus all of the resturants in town. Cultimara supermarket is about a 5-10 minute walk each way. I take a backpack and a tote bag as they charge for bags.

I would reserve a car before you leave or at least shop around and compare prices. Find out what they plan to charge you by the day from the hotel and see what the other companies would charge. Go to www.infobonaire.com/html/transportation.html and it will list every rental company on the island. You can check out their web sites or email them. I went last December for 6 days and let our hotel book the car for the week. I'm going this December for 9 days and I'm getting the same vehicle (minivan) for $100 cheaper (50% longer stay and 33% cheaper). I found my deal this year by emailing every company. I would rent a small car they have (since you not have dive gear) for the week and I bet you will come out cheaper. It is a small island but not that small. Some of the snorkel spots may not be in walking distance and this will give you the excuse to see the entire island. Don't expect much when you see the cars because a Toyota Corrola/Camery is a premium/luxery car there. Happy shopping.

I don't know about either hotel.

Michele, I agree with Todd on the car rental before you go. We rented with Budget while when we were there and had no problems. You will want a car to drive around the island (you can do it in a very short time). Plus, there are a lot of dive/snorkel sites all up and down the leeward side.

The Divi is more centrally located and near town as Linnea said. The Black Durgon is on the north end, and is not within walking distance to any restaurants, etc. So if you are looking for close proximity to walking to dinner, town, etc, Divi would be the way to go.

Have fun,and please remember to join our PBD group upon your return...you will need it!